dibble

American  

[dib-uhl] / ˈdɪb əl /

noun

1. Also dibber a small, handheld, pointed implement for making holes in soil for planting seedlings, bulbs, etc.

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verb (used with object)

dibbled, dibbling

1. to make a hole (in the ground) with or as if with a dibble.

2. to set (plants) in holes made with a dibble.

verb (used without object)

dibbled, dibbling

1. to work with a dibble.

dibble ¹ British  

/ ˈdɪbəl /

noun

1. Also called (esp Brit): dibber.  a small hand tool used to make holes in the ground for planting or transplanting bulbs, seeds, or roots

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verb

1. to make a hole in (the ground) with a dibble

2. to plant (bulbs, seeds, etc) with a dibble

dibble ² British  

/ ˈdɪbəl /

verb

1. a variant of dib

2. a less common word for dabble

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dibble ³ British  

/ ˈdɪbəl /

noun

1. slang a policeman

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Other Word Forms

• dibbler noun

Etymology

Origin of dibble

1325–75; late Middle English, perhaps akin to dib

Example Sentences

Before I understood how to use my options properly, I used to dibble and dabble with my childhood favorite, Duncan Hines.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2024

He picked up an orange metal bar known as a dibble, made a small hole in the bare, orange dirt and put the tree in.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2020

The volunteers fanned out over the muddy ground, each pair armed with a dibble bar and a bucket of seedlings.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2020

But I personally like to dibble and dabble and help my teammates make plays, and at the same time make plays myself.”

From Washington Times • Oct. 14, 2015

A dibble, or pointed stick of hard wood, was used to make the hole in which the plant was deposited.

From The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead Vol. II by Frazer, James George, Sir